If you don’t have an outside vent, a condenser tumble dryer could be a good option: it collects the water rather than venting moist air outdoors. If you do laundry frequently, compare heat pump models in particular by their energy use per cycle and drying time. If you’d rather use a clothes airer, make sure you can manage the humidity in the room.
If you use a tumble dryer regularly but don’t have an outside vent, look at the energy use per cycle of a heat pump model, as well as how long it takes to dry your usual load. The energy label lets you compare these figures across appliances with a similar capacity.
First, work out where you can put the appliance or clothes airer. Measure the available space and check the tumble dryer’s installation instructions. If you’re using an airer, consider the room’s ventilation and how humid it already is.
A clothes airer means you don’t need to use an electrical appliance to dry your laundry, as long as you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan. ADEME points out that air-drying laundry adds a lot of moisture to the home.
Consider this if : you dry laundry regularly and want to compare the electricity use of ventless appliances.
Bear in mind : programme times vary by model, and you’ll need to carry out the maintenance tasks set out in the manual.
Consider this if : you’re assessing an existing appliance or a specific model that doesn’t need an outside vent.
Compare : its energy use per cycle and programme time with those of a heat pump model with a similar capacity.
Consider this if : your laundry volume and available space mean you can manage without a tumble dryer.
Plan for : a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan to manage the moisture released by your laundry.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Room and humidity | Check the type of tumble dryer and its installation instructions. If you’re using a clothes airer, consider how well the room is ventilated. | In a small room without an outside vent, I want to avoid an option that lets humidity build up. Around 27 % of consumers would make how well a solution suits the room their top priority. |
| Electricity use | Compare weighted energy use per cycle and eco programme duration across models with similar capacities. | With several loads to dry each week, I want to keep an eye on electricity use without overlooking drying time. Energy use would be the top priority for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Load size and space | Check the capacity in kg against your usual loads, and measure the appliance and the space needed to install it. | If my loads are large but space is limited, I need a capacity and dimensions that suit my laundry routine. Around 27 % of consumers would put this balance first. |
| Drying without an appliance | Allow space for the clothes airer, and choose a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan. | When my laundry volume allows, I’d rather avoid using a tumble dryer, while still keeping an eye on indoor humidity. This would be the top priority for around 13 % of consumers. |
A condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need to vent moist air outdoors, but you still need to follow the installation instructions. Laundry on a clothes airer adds moisture to the indoor air, as ADEME points out.
Check the installation instructions for the appliance you choose. If you’re using a clothes airer, opt for a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan.
A letter on its own won’t tell you the energy use per cycle or how long it takes to dry a load. Old and new energy label scales shouldn’t be read as though they were the same scale.
Compare the energy labels for the specific models you’re considering, ideally with similar capacities. Pay particular attention to weighted energy use per cycle and eco programme duration. The European Commission’s EPREL database lets you look up declared information for listed appliances.
Maintenance tasks vary depending on how the tumble dryer is designed. For example, Bosch asks owners to clean the fluff filter after every use on the relevant appliances.
Before choosing a model, check the manual for the exact reference to find out how to maintain the filter, water tank and, where applicable, the condenser or heat exchanger.
Allow time to carry out these tasks regularly.
A tumble dryer’s stated capacity doesn’t mean every programme can handle the same amount of laundry. A quick programme also isn’t a substitute for the eco programme duration when comparing two appliances.
Check the model’s details to see the permitted load and duration for the programmes you’ll use, then compare them with your usual laundry loads.
These ranges give you a useful basis for comparing heat pump tumble dryers. Features and maintenance tasks vary from model to model.
The French range includes heat pump tumble dryers in a variety of capacities.
The T1 range includes heat pump models, including 8 and 9 kg options, according to Miele France.
Samsung France lists 8 and 9 kg heat pump tumble dryers.
Beko France offers a range of heat pump tumble dryers, with laundry care features varying by model.
These two 8 kg models are heat pump tumble dryers that don’t need an outside vent. Check that their capacity suits your usual loads, then review the energy label and installation instructions for the model you choose.
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Worth considering if your usual load suits an 8 kg capacity and you’re looking for a tumble dryer without an outside vent.
This model is listed with a noise level of 64 dB and an Easy Cleaning 2-in-1 filter that you can access through the door. Compare its energy use per cycle and eco programme duration on the energy label. Before deciding where to put it, also check the dimensions and clearance requirements in the manual.
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Compare this model with your usual laundry loads if an 8 kg capacity meets your needs for drying without an outside vent.
This model is listed with an LED display. Before deciding where to put it, check the manual for dimensions, clearances and water drainage. Also compare energy use per cycle, eco programme duration and noise levels in the model’s documentation.
No. According to Que Choisir and the European Commission, a condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need a vent to the outside. Depending on the model, water is collected in a tank or sent to a drain, so check its connection options and installation instructions.
Yes. Ventilation is particularly important when you dry laundry indoors. ADEME highlights how much moisture this releases, so choose a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan, especially if you already notice condensation.
Follow the maintenance instructions in your model’s manual, as they vary by appliance. For example, Bosch asks owners to clean the fluff filter after every use on the relevant tumble dryers. Also check the instructions for the water tank and condenser.
Compare their weighted energy use per cycle using the energy labels, ideally for appliances with similar capacities. Check the eco programme duration at the same time. The European Commission’s EPREL database provides these figures for the models listed there.